Safety Chains for Andersen AUH?

[WhittleBurner]

My sister and brother-in-law had a ball break one time when they were towing their pontoon from Mich. to KY. Because of the chains they were able to move onto the shoulder of the freeway letting the trailer bring them to a stop. Another motorist stopped to help and drove my brother-in-law into town to buy a new ball. After putting on the new ball they continued their trip with no damage.

[slauretani]

We just purchased a new GD 303rls and we purchased the Anderson hitch along with the chains and hooks. We purchased everything from amazon. The chains and hooks come separate. We love it and it’s very easy to install. We just decided to do the chains because of different rules in each state or province. Our dealer wouldn’t let us leave the lot without the chains on. We live in Ontario.

[Rapid1]

Sure seems like a no-brainer to spend the extra $50-$100 to avoid the potential hassle and the extra security provided. Not sure why this is even an issue.

[SteveTN]

Sure seems like a no-brainer to spend the extra $50-$100 to avoid the potential hassle and the extra security provided. Not sure why this is even an issue.

Exactly. I have the chains now; they are not hard to hook or unhook and I don't have to worry about dealing with a trooper who may or may not be correct about the law in their state. Cheap insurance.

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[Jerryr]

Sure seems like a no-brainer to spend the extra $50-$100 to avoid the potential hassle and the extra security provided. Not sure why this is even an issue.

Yep,

I elected to do the drilled holes in the base of the hitch for the Ford Pucks rather than using the Andersen Plate that connects to the ball for the safety chains. If the ball fails then the pucks will still hold. Plus the drilled holes with the pucks installed helps in keeping the hitch from rotating. Simple to connect.

[Leon T]

I ordered a Goose Box hitch last week...along with a set of safety chains. I was a cop for 30 years. I'm not taking any chances of running into a rookie trying to make a name for himself or some hard ****** who wants to cite for anything he can find. If a cop has probable cause to believe that you've violated some law he can cite you...whether he's actually right or not. Then you have the option of going before a judge to argue your case in some courthouse that may not be conveniently located. No thanks. Chains are on the hitch = no issues. For $50 it's not worth it to me to take a chance and argue that I'm right and the cop's wrong. And I won't even go into the ramifications of having a trailer separate and then it's found you should have had safety chains but didn't.

[Dick Noble]

Why should safety chains be required if 1) they are not required for any other fifth wheel hitch and 2) why required if there is a break-away break attached?

[carnolddsm]

Why should safety chains be required if 1) they are not required for any other fifth wheel hitch and 2) why required if there is a break-away break attached?

Right or wrong some states laws require safety chains for ball type hitches, the AUH has a ball. Ball type hitches again maybe right or wrong are considered to be less secure than king pin type.

[minnow101]

Why should safety chains be required if 1) they are not required for any other fifth wheel hitch and 2) why required if there is a break-away break attached?

Additionally, these chain requirement regulations were promulgated and implemented long before the Pullrite and Andersen were designed. Another example of our laws not keeping up with technology.

[Leon T]

Why should safety chains be required if 1) they are not required for any other fifth wheel hitch and 2) why required if there is a break-away break attached?

The break-away has nothing to do with it. All my regular gooseneck trailers over the years have had break-away switches on them and all still required safety chains. I wasn't a traffic cop, and I don't want to be stuck somewhere arguing with one about the safety chain issue. I know how they can be. To each his own, but I have better things to do and the safety chains will go on as soon as I mount the hitch.